A composition containing biocompatible hydrogel encapsulating mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs is disclosed. The encapsulated cells have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. The compositions contain a biocompatible hydrogel having encapsulated therein mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs or polymeric particles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory drugs are released from the composition after transplantation in an amount effective to inhibit fibrosis of the composition for at least ten days. Methods for identifying and selecting suitable anti-inflammatory drug-loaded particles to prevent fibrosis of encapsulated cells are also described. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.

Provided herein is a 3D printing system and related compositions, and method of using such, that can produce a polymeric microfiber having embedded microspheres encapsulating an active agent with micron precision and high spatial and temporal resolution. One aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of forming a biocompatible scaffold. Another aspect provides a method of forming a polymeric fiber having a microencapsulated agent distributed in the polymeric fiber. Another aspect provides a composition including a polymeric microfiber produced by 3D printing.

A dressing for treatment of a body part surface of a human or animal patient. The dressing includes a compress with a plurality of loose fill granules contained in an enclosure. The plurality of loose fill granules is configured to deliver moist heat. The dressing also includes antibacterial medication that is activated by the moist heat delivered from the compress and released toward the body part surface. The fill granules substantially retain at least one antimicrobial metal material therein and allow repeated absorption and dissipation of moisture to and from the fill granules.

The present invention relates to hydrogels comprising 1,2-diol or 1,3-diol groups acetalized with a radiopaque species of one or more covalently bound radiopaque halogens which are imageable during embolization therapy. The invention further relates to methods of making radiopaque polymers and radiopaque hydrogel microspheres to provide an imageable drug delivery system.

The present invention provides insertable medical devices having elastic surfaces associated with bioactive agent-containing microparticulates and a coating material. Upon expansion of the elastic surfaces the microparticulates can be released to a subject.

Compositions are provided according to aspects of the present invention which include: a plurality of longitudinally extending fibers, each of the fibers having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of each of a majority of the fibers is generally aligned; a plurality of stem cells capable of differentiation into a central or peripheral nervous system cell, a majority of the plurality of stem cells in contact with one or more of the plurality of longitudinally extending fibers; a biocompatible hydrogel, wherein the longitudinally extending fibers and stem cells are disposed in the matrix of a biocompatible hydrogel; a therapeutic amount of a neurotrophic factor disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel, wherein the neurotrophic factor is distributed as a gradient; a plurality of olfactory ensheathing cells disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel; and a therapeutic amount of a scar inhibitor disposed in the biocompatible hydrogel.

The invention provides a self-assembled microparticle having an acid having two or more acid groups and an organic base in a solvent. The microparticles may form into a macrostructure and provide a scaffold for cell culture. The particle is of micron scale. The microparticle may be obtained by contacting a bis-acid and organic base in a hydrophilic solvent, wherein the acid is insoluble or sparingly soluble in the hydrophilic solvent and the organic base is soluble in a hydrophilic solvent. The microparticles have antimicrobial activity and may be used in a wide range of consumer product applications, cell culture and medical products, such as wound dressings.

The present invention relates to articles of manufacture having a formulation distributed therein, wherein the formulation comprises an active agent which manifests a desirable property when released from the articles of manufacture. The present invention also relates to methods for manufacturing these articles of manufacture, to vehicles for applying the formulation to these articles of manufacture, and to perception indicators indicating the presence and the amount of formulation comprising an active agent applied to an article of manufacture.

This invention concerns a biomimetic material based on energy-rich amorphous magnesium polyphosphate (Mg-polyP) microparticles that enhance cartilage synthesis and regeneration. One preferred formulation of the inventive material is a hyaluronic acid-Mg/Ca-polyP paste that can be produced from a water-soluble salt of polyP and water-soluble hyaluronic acid in the presence of water-insoluble/nearly insoluble calcium carbonate. Surprisingly, the inventor found that this cartilage-like material comprising amorphous Mg/Ca-polyP microparticles promotes the adhesion of chondrocytes and strongly upregulates the expression of the chondrocyte marker genes encoding alkaline phosphatase, collagen type 3A1, aggrecan and Sox9. The material through scavenging calcium ions (Mg.sup.2+/Ca.sup.2+ exchange) and binding of the calcium-polyP to hyaluronic acid shows biomechanical properties, comparable to cartilage and thus can be used for prevention of calcium crystal formation in the synovial fluid and treatment of joint dysfunctions caused by osteoarthritis.

A composition containing biocompatible hydrogel encapsulating mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs is disclosed. The encapsulated cells have reduced fibrotic overgrowth after implantation in a subject. The compositions contain a biocompatible hydrogel having encapsulated therein mammalian cells and anti-inflammatory drugs or polymeric particles loaded with anti-inflammatory drugs. The anti-inflammatory drugs are released from the composition after transplantation in an amount effective to inhibit fibrosis of the composition for at least ten days. Methods for identifying and selecting suitable anti-inflammatory drug-loaded particles to prevent fibrosis of encapsulated cells are also described. Methods of treating a disease in a subject are also disclosed that involve administering a therapeutically effective amount of the disclosed encapsulated cells to the subject.